March 11, 2008 - 7:11am
Justice Dept. changes the way federal monitors are assigned
By Matt FriedmanJust one day before former Attorney General John Ashcroft was set to testify in Congress about the federal oversight contract he was given by U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, the Justice Department banned federal prosecutors from selecting corporate monitors, the Star-Ledger reports.
Christie selected Ashcroft, his former boss, to monitor a medical implant company that had admitted paying doctors kickbacks to use its products. The company agreed to hire a federal monitor and pay for it on its own in order to avoid prosecution. The company approved Ashcroft, whose contract was worth anywhere from $27 to $52 million.
Under the new rules, the U.S. Attorney’s office has to establish committees to screen monitors, get input from the companies, and run all appointments by the Justice Department in Washington.
Representative Frank Pallone (D-Monmouth) is currently writing legislation to change the way DPAs are assigned.
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Good
A welcome change in the rules. That should end that problem.
On The Waterfront since 1954
Henceforth known as "the Christie Rule."
Wouldn't have been done if there wasn't a problem.
Oh my....
Why would "out of the blue" the Justice Dept do this? Just a thought... Beware of the holier than thou....MR CLEAN types...ie Spitzer.... He's not the only white knight cleaner-upper with ethics problems.